Teeemometee peinting machine



2 Sheets-Sheet 1. J. D. HALL. THERMOMETER PRINTING MACHINE.

Patented Mar. 31,1891.

(No Model.)

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WITNESSES.

2Sheefis-Sheet 2.

(No Model.)

J. D. HALL.

THERMOMETER PRINTING MACHINE.

No. 449,444. iatented Mar. 31, 1891.

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UNITED STATES PATENT rricn.

JOHN D. HALL, OF PHILADELPHIA, PENNSYLVANIA, ASSIGNOR TO THOMAS C.BALDERSTON, OF SAME PLACE.

TH ERMOM ETER-PRINTING MACHINE.

SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent No. 449,444, dated March.31, 1891.

Application filed December 19, 1890. Serial No. 375,229. (No model.) I

.To all whom it may concern/.-

Be it known that I, JOHN D. HALL, a citi In practice it is found thatthe most expert workman cannot at will construct any given number ofthermometer-tubes to fit any given scale, and that the distances betweenthe 10 points which govern the positions of the numerals mentioned aswell as those of other matters or things that are to be placed upon thescales are an ever-varying quantity.

The object of my invention is to produce a printing, figuring, orlettering machine with which the numerals designating the ten-degreespaces or lines and also all words and other matters or things that areto be placed upon the scales or faces of the thermometers may be readilyand conveniently printed or stamped thereon, whatever the length or runof the scales, or by which such machine may print figures, designs, orreading matters upon the surfaces of other things.

My said invention consists of certain novel parts and combinations ofparts, which will be separately pointed out in the claims con- 3 5eluding this specification.

For the purpose of informing those skilled in the art to which myinvention appert'ains of the nature of my invention, and for the purposeof instructing them. how the same may be particularly and advantageouslyemployed, I will now describe the devices which embody separately and intotal combination all the features of improvement which constitute myinvention, and which are illustrated 45 in the accompanying drawings, inwhich- Figure 1 is a plan or top view of my complete machine forthermometer work, showing the parts in their relative working orprinting condition. Fig. 2 is a plan or top view of said completemachine, showing the hinged type-carrying part B turned back in properposition for applying ink to the type with an ordinary printers rolleror brayer. Fig. 3 is a vertical cross-section taken on the line 00 a: ofFig. 1. Figs. 4E and 5 are similar sectional views showing differentstyles of type-holders, and Figs. 6 and 7 show modification of affixingor clamping the type-holders upon their carrier.

' This machine is'cheaply and simply constructed, and it consists,mainly, of a plain bed-table or bench A and a rigidly-secured topsurface part (1, having a hinged section or part B at its inner edge,and to which the shanks of type-holders J and K are secured in parallelrelation to each other crosswise of said hinged sect-ion, so as toextend over and beyond the non-hinged edge of said section andpreferably at a slightly-upward inclination therefrom to give themaspring function upon said hinged part, for a purpose which I shallpresently state. To the outer edge of this fixed top surface part ametal frameD is hinged in parallel relation to the type-carrying hingedpart, so that such relation will permit the two hinged parts to befolded, the outer part D upon the type-carrying arms J, so that thesection B, when folded, will present the printing side of the typeupward within the hinged part D, as shown by dotted lines in Fig. 3, tobe inked.

In practice I usually make the bedA of my machine for printingthermometers ranging in size from eighteen to thirty-six inches inlength, about twenty-eigl1t inches wide, and forty-two inches long, andfor other sizes smaller or longer, as may be desired. I usually makethis bed A and its fixed top surface part 0 of ordinary inch pine orpoplar lumber and the hinged type-carrying section of the same material,all tobe planed true and smooth, while the type-holders J K and thehinged frame D are made of strips of brass or other suitable metal. Thepieces of lumber are either nailed or screwed together, and the sectionB is hinged by ordinary butthinges, while the hinged frame D is formedby soldering or riveting strips of brass together. These two hingedparts are of equal length and width, and when folded for the too purposestated occupy a position along one side of the bed or table. Whenunfolded, the

type-carrying section lies flat upon the bed or table with itstype-carrying holders standing toward the opposite side of the table-bedan'd presentingthe letters downward and holds them in position over thesurface to be printed upon, which, as seen in Figs. 1 and 3,is athermometer back or scale L. Sometimes I nail or screw the type-holdersJ K onto the hinged section B, as shown in Fig. 1; but they arepreferably clamped thereon by passing common wood-screws through a metalstrip B and into the wooden piece B, as seen in Figs. 6 and 7, a singlescrew passing between each two type-holders. These type-holdersIsometimes make of a single strip of springbrass about gage No. 22 andcement thin vulcanized rubber type-faces j onto them, as

shown in Figs. 2 and 3; but I prefer a type holder composed of twopieces of brass J 'J' or other metal,as seen in Fig. 5. In this case thethin part J serves as a spring to hold the type in a slightly-upwardinclined position ready for use and sufficiently yielding to allow thetype to be pressed down, so as to make the impression upon thethermometer scale or face or other article that is being lettered orprinted, while the part J, which carries the letters, is secured incrosswise relation to all the spring-holders, and is of sufficientthickness to maintain a straight and flat condition while being pressedupon during the making of the impressions. I

In the above I have considered the use of only thin or shallow bodiedvulcanized-rubber type of the same description as those used in theconstruction of the ordinary rubber stamps of commerce. These types aremade in sheets having as many words and figures as I require to use atone impression and are simply cemented fast to the springholders in thepositions shown. I may, however, use shallow-bodied metal type andsolder or otherwise affix them to quite thin and yielding strips ofbrass or other suit-able metal, as shown in Fig. 4t. These type-facesare manufactured singly and separately, so that when attached to thinand flexible sheet metal or other material they can all be readilypressed down into complete contact with the surface that is beingprinted, though it be hard and untrue. Of course the typeholders must bemade of suitable size to contain the number of type required. Thus forthe numerals of thermometers quite narrow strips answer the purpose; butfor advertising matter that is to be printed at the upper or at thelower end of the thermometer-face much larger holders are required, asshown at I in Fig. 2; also, for printing matter upon the right-hand sideof the thermometer-face the type-holders must have sufficient additionallength to reach over beyond the others, as at K in Figs. 1 and 7.

As will be seen, II is an adjustable gagestrip secured upon thetable-bed by means of the slotted angle-keepers 5 and in parallelrelation to the type-carrying section for the purpose of setting andholding the thermometerscale or other object in proper position underthe type when it is being printed.

The purpose of the hinged frame D is to hold down the severaltypeholders into straight and level positions and over which frame theprinters roller is pressed while it is being passed over the type, whichare held with their faces standing upward in the open spaces of thisframe, as seen in Fig. 2, for the purpose of applying ink to them.

The object of the recess which I have shown as cut into the edge of thetable-bed at M is to enable the operator to conveniently grasp the edgeof the thermometer while he is print ing, either for the purpose ofremoving it from the machine or to adjust it as required from time totime into proper positions to receive the several required impressions.

Having constructed my printing-machine as set forth, I describe its useas follows: First, place the thermometer back or scale L or otherarticle that is to be printed into the machine as shown in Fig. l;second,turn the hinged type-carrying section B in folded position andthen turn and fold the frame over and upon the type-holders, as seen inFig. 2, and then pass an ordinary printers roller over the type and theframe D until the former have received the requisite coating of ink upontheir faces; third, unfold these hinged parts, placing the type-carryingsection flat upon the table to bring its inked type standing downwardover the thermometerback, as in Fig. l; fourth, move the thermometer tothe right or to the left, as required, to bring it in the right positionto print any one of the required numerals-say 130at the 130 point andprint the same by merely depressing the proper type-holder with thefinger; fifth, again move the thermometer to the right or to the left,as may be required, and in the same manner print the second numeral,say, 120; sixth, again move the thermometer as before, and in the samemanner print other numerals and other matter until the work iscompleted.

So far as I am aware, this machine is intrinsically and entirely novel,and while it was originally conceived and designed for use onthermometer work it is still well adapted to be used on a variety ofwork, especially on hard, non-elastic, and untrue surfaces, such as aremet with in the manufacture of glass and board signs, metallic labels,and thelike.

I claim as my invention-- 1. In a printing or stamping machine, thecombination, with the table A, having the raised surface, of thereversible hinged section B, having type-holders composed of separatethin spring-strips J, secured in paral lel relation to the surfacethereof, projecting over and beyond its non-hinged edge, and havingsuitable type at their unattached ends, the said hinged section 13arranged to carry all its separate spring-strips over onto a sup portand to be reversed to hold them in level positions above the table forprinting in the way described.

2. In a printing or stamping machine, the combination of the hingedtype-carrier provided with flexible or spring type-holders, and an openhinged type-protecting frame arranged relatively to permit them to befolded, the said frame over and upon the type-holders, for the purposestated.

3. In a printing or stamping machine, the combination of the hingedtype-carrier provided with flexible or spring type-holders arranged toproject transversely from one side of said hinged holder, an open typeprotecting frame arranged at one side of said hinged type-carrier, and agage arranged at the other side of said hinged type-carrier, foroperation substantially as described, for the purpose stated.

4. In a printing or stamping machine, a hinged type-carrier havingcomposite typeholders secured to and projecting transversely over andbeyond one edge thereof in parallel relation to each other, the typebeing secured at their free ends.

5. In a printing or stamping machine, a hinged reversible type-carrierprovided with flexible or spring type-holders arranged to projecttransversely from one side of said hinged carrier, of unequal length,and having suitable type at their free ends.

6. In a printing or stamping machine, a hinged type-carrier providedwith flexible or spring strips projecting transversely over and beyondone edge thereof, secured thereto by a clamping-bar, and havingsuit-able type at their free ends.

7. In a printing or stamping machine, the hinged type-carrier providedwith flexible or spring strips standing out in inclined relation to thesurface of said carrier, parallel to each other, crosswise of saidhinged carrier, extending beyond one edge thereof, and having suitabletype at their free ends, in combina tion with an open type-protectingframe at one side of said hinged type-carrier and a gage-bar at theother side of said type-carrier, substantially as described.

In testimony whereof I have hereunto set my hand in the presence of twosubscribing witnesses.

JOHN D. HALL.

Witnesses:

MORRIS R. BOCKIUS, DANIEL E. BROGAN.

